All Things French

People have been asking me what I am buying now that I am leaving. For example, what "French" things make the cut?

It's strange. Everyone's France is different. What reminds me of France, may not be what reminds someone else of their France!

So I say what things I have bought...and I usually get a blank stare. Like a , "Oh, huh, that's interesting."

NOT.

So I'm going to post the things I have purchased and why I have purchased them and why they are France to me. So if you're bored, continue!

1) Tuna - there is a tuna brand here. Canned tuna. That doesn't taste at all fishy. Comes in these huge chunks. Does not have a metallic taste. It's so good, I don't even add mayonnaise to it. I just eat it with salad and a light vinaigrette. Add on some chevre toasted in the oven on small baguette slices and it's my heaven.

2) Sardines - it's packed with tomatoes, onions, peppers. It's awful to most people. But my dad used to eat sardines and he shared them with me and rice/baguette. It's a memory with my dad, and it's a memory for me here too.

3) Emile Henry cooking ceramics - purchased a small baking terrine and a tarte dish. I love the colors here. The tarte dish is bright green and I love to make quiches so it will be perfect. The terrine dish is this gorgeous deep purple which will remind me of my friend Mary who introduced me to the color and the brand.

4) Le Creuset stuff - the best. Everything I have made in these pots comes out good. It's really incredible. So now I have a mini collection: 5.5 quart round dutch oven, 4.5 oval dutch oven, grill pan, 4 mini cocottes, large terrine/fois gras maker, square baking dish.

5) Instant Coffee - they make instant expresso powder here. It's really good. MUCH better than instant coffee in the states.

6) Mariage Frere tea - my favorite. Always has been. Always will be. Drink it with a fresh baked croissant and THAT is my Paris.

7) Lentilles du Puy - my favorite lentilles. First time I have had it is here in Paris. So I bought some to bring back.

8) Honeys - not runny honey. But solid/spreadable honey. Great with butter and a baguette. My first time I had it was here!

9) Cassoulet in a can. Trying to get that through customs. Cassoulet is my favorite and I still have not had the guns to try to make it at home. I don't often meet a recipe that intimidates me, but cassoulet is it. And pho.

10) Clothes - I have boycotted French clothes for a long time. And I happily did it for 2 years. But once you live somewhere a while, you learn to like their style and adapt it with your own. So now, after living here for some time, I've finally started buying their clothes. And I Love it! My favorite brand is Comptoirs des Cotoniers and I've been trying to pick up little pieces here and there.

11) Books in French. Boring, but necessary to keep up the language.

12) Very processed madeleines. I hate to admit, but I love the ones carrefour and bonne maman make. So I brought some to bring back. I love them with tea.

13) Pompotes - Squeezable apple sauce. Michael LOVES them and they are SO easy for travel.

SO there you have it. Just a quick snippet. I'm a little scared to go back. We are used to life here...I'll have to re-learn everything when I go home. But at least, I'll be able to speak the language without thinking so hard.

Love,
P

Photoshoot Gone Wrong

Wanna see a funny impromptu photo session?

Boys vs. Girl comparison is worth stating too.

In October, we had a playdate at the Champ des Mars with Karstyn/Katie/Elayna. We tried to get some pictures of Michael together with Karstyn and the Eiffel Tower. This is what we got:

Michael telling Karstyn something. Karstyn looking cute and doing what she's supposed to:

Michael is now running to the camera. Karstyn still cute and doing what she's supposed to:

Michael now is grabbing his crotch. Karstyn still being cute:
Eventually, anarchy did reign: Love,
P

P.S. Next blog posts may be FROM TEXAS!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

Staying At Home

Staying at Home instead of working is a blessing. But when you're dealing with the umpteenth tantrum for the day and a shirt full of food stains on it...it's easy to forget why I do it. Especially when he wakes up and the first words out of his mouth are, "Where's my Daddy? I LOVE MY DADDY SO MUCH."

Guess I'm chopped liver right?

On Thursday of last week, I had a babysitter come from 9am-3pm so I could get some things done. I came home with food and spent lunch at home instead of out. While eating, Michael turns to me, takes my hand, and says:

"Mommy, you are home a lot with me."

"Yes, Michael, I am!"

"Mommy, I like you home a lot with me."

It was just nice to have some appreciation. To know that the sacrifices I made were worth it. To know that it made a difference to my son. It only took 3 years to get here. :)

Lately, he's been so lovey-dovey with us. Today, he walked into the kitchen and said, "Mommy, I need a hug." So of course, he gets one and he squeezes me as hard as he can and says, "Mommy, I love you SO much. I love you I love you I love you."

My goodness...if this is what happens when I let him watch TV and play on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse website a lot because I am packing/etc...I sure am enjoying the rewards of being a "good" Mommy!

Just had to blog about it. As you can imagine, we are busy busy busy. Seeing our friends, eating out a lot, and just packing/sorting/cleaning.

Gotta post our latest pictures of Michael at Brian's company's Christmas Kids' Party. Let's just say he got his face painted as a tiger.

Love,
P